Nelson smiled lightly on the other end, “Very convincing.”
“So, I’m supporting you. Aren’t you going to thank me?”
The man raised the teacup beside him and clinked it in front of the camera, “Thank you, Mrs. Oconnor.”
Callie smiled, staring intently at the man in the video.
“When are you coming back to Ylosea?”
He remained calm, “In the next couple of days.”
The next day, Callie dressed up specially and went to a social event with Mrs. Gamble.
There were women at the dinner party, and it was clear who were the ladies and who were the main guests.
Callie and Mrs. Gamble walked arm in arm, their eyes falling on a woman sitting at the mahjong table. “Lucia, we meet again?”
Lucia had a cigarette in her mouth. Seeing her, she looked sharp, “And you are?”
Callie was taken aback, not expecting such a lack of courtesy.
Mrs. Gamble quickly smoothed things over, “This is Mrs. Oconnor from Oconnor Group. She’s here with me today. Sweetie, you won’t be upset, right?”
She playfully nudged Chief Gamble’s arm.
Chief Gamble glanced at Callie and immediately shook his head, “Of course not. Since there are more women here, this round is for you all. Enjoy.”
Callie was pulled to sit down, facing Lucia. She knew these people let her join them out of respect for her.
were giving face to Nelson, not her.
“Do you know how to play mahjong, Mrs. Oconnor?” Lucia asked casually while looking at her tiles.
“A little, not very well. Don’t blame me, Lucia.”
“It’s just for fun, not playing big. Don’t take it seriously,” Mrs. Gamble quickly said, watching Lucia’s expression.
“This is Kenker Hotel. If we’re playing, we play big. If it’s small stakes, I won’t play,” Lucia said bluntly, her eyes fixed on Callie.
Callie forced herself to stay calm, “Makes sense.” She called a waiter, “Bring a box of chips and put it on Mr. Oconnor’s tab.”
Lucia raised an eyebrow, “Mrs. Oconnor is really willing to spend Mr. Oconnor’s money. You must live a very happy life.”
“No choice, just lucky,” Callie smiled back.
While waiting for the waiter to return, Lucia discussed business with Chief. Within a few words, a contract was signed. Callie noticed and quickly sent a message to Shamar on her phone.
The waiter returned with chips piled on the table.
Lucia asked, “I heard Mrs. Oconnor went to Ylosea recently. How was it?”
“Lucia’s information is really up-to-date,” Callie’s heart raced, surprised that her actions were under Lucia’s watch. “Just running around for a man, didn’t gain much, just made some connections.”
Lucia played a tile, “Mrs. Oconnor studied design. How did you get involved with e-commerce?”
“There are always connections. Just like Lucia, who used to be a housewife but is now successful in business,” Callie replied slowly while feeding her tiles.
Mrs. Gamble didn’t notice the subtle tension between them and thought Callie was standing up for her.
Lucia’s gaze became more playful as she smiled faintly, “So young and promising. It seems the future of Oconnor Group might be in Mrs. Oconnor’s hands.”
Callie didn’t respond; she didn’t want to fall into any trap.
“When do you plan to have children?”
This question made Callie finally look at Lucia directly. She wasn’t sure if Lucia was asking from a mother-in-law’s perspective or as an outsider.
“…No plans for children yet.”
“Mrs. Oconnor is still young; there’s no rush,” Mrs. Gamble interjected. “Unlike us old folks who missed the chance.”
Everyone laughed.